I Sooo Hate Waiting…A List of 1st Quarter NA Releases!!

I have to be honest. I am DEFINITELY not the most patient person that I know of but, I am not the most impatient as well. I have a lot of things that I am currently waiting for, and I’m quite positive that my mom knows two particular things that I am just itching to, one get a hold of, and two, hear from.

Anyways, apart from those two things that are quiet obvious in our family that I am waiting for, I am also waiting for releases for this first quarter of the year. So, allow me to enumerate some of them:

First up are the games that I am anticipating from the consoles that we own, specifically: NDS, PSP, Wii and PS3:

NDS

Glory of Heracles features the eponymous Greek hero in a pick-up-and-play role-playing game that has a rich storyline in a Greek motif and a deep battle system. The story begins when Heracles washes up on a beach with amnesia. Players must journey far and wide to figure out Heracles’ story and unravel the mysterious pasts of the other main characters in this new adventure. The game uses ancient Greece as its backdrop, and players can visit cities like Sparta and Athens on their travels.

This is supposed to be released today but, just because it is released today in North America does not mean that it’s readily available here in the Philippines, which just sucks. That being said, it also doesn’t mean that it can already be downloaded since someone actually has to dump it and upload it on the net.

Shepherd’s Crossing 2 DS is a full featured and in-depth farming simulation and strategy game. At its heart, the game is about the player living in a small town and communicating with the other villagers while raising livestock, harvesting crops, and building a farm. Aside from laying out fields and deciding where to herd the animals, players must also pay attention to the placement of their resources, arranging their life as they see fit. As a special feature unique to the DS, interaction with others is a major part of the game. One can even court, date and marry. It’s just one goal in a game filled with things to do and people to meet. The game is beautifully animated in a Japanese anime style. The open-ended gameplay styles mean the player can choose what they want to do whether it be breed animals, farm their fields, build relationships with the people around town or any combination of these activities as well as many others. The DS allows for unique touch screen controls that are implemented into most of the in-game activities. With so many different activities and open-ended style simulation gameplay, there are hours and hours of entertainment available to players. Tomorrow’s the release date for this game (supposedly).

This time around, the player takes on the role of famed prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, a memorable rival of charismatic legal eagle Phoenix Wright. Edgeworth actively investigates crime scenes in order to pursue the truth behind each case. By solving the challenging puzzles presented to him, Edgeworth will work with the police to bring criminals to justice. I’m a sucker for games that hold mysteries in them like this one and the Ace Attorney Series, Time Hollow, Hotel Dusk, Detective Conan (for the Wii). I mean, come on, how can you not like a game that allows you to solve puzzles and use your brain while being able to have a say to a person’s fate — whether he guilty of a crime or not?Anyways, release date of Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth is on February 16, which is still a long ways from now.

Pokemon HeartGold Version and Pokemon SoulSilver Version return players to the scenic Johto region first introduced in the beloved original Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver games nearly a decade ago. The richly detailed adventure of Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver is now enhanced for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems with updated graphics and sound, as well as new touch-screen features and a host of surprises. Pokemon HeartGold Version and Pokemon SoulSilver Version bring dozens of Pokemon characters back into the limelight for a new Pokemon generation – and longtime fans – to catch, train and battle. Come on, who does not know of these two classic nintendo games? Anyways, North American version of Heart Gold and Soul Silver will be available on the 14th of March.

I AM A FAN OF THIS FRANCHISE!! WOOH!!! *Ahem* In the near future, a mysterious, growing, black void appears at the Earth’s southern pole. Unable to determine its cause and powerless to stop its deadly encroachment, humanity sends an elite team of explorers into the heart of the phenomenon, just as Strange Journey’s look and feel represent a return to the heart of Shin Megami Tensei, bringing to mind the all-time classic Nocturne. With over 300 demons to bribe, coerce, and negotiate with to gain assistance in battle, Strange Journey is every bit the deep, rewarding RPG experience fans have come to expect from the SMT franchise, yet delivered with a fresh new sci-fi story that taps into mature themes of morality and introspection. This is going to be released on the 23rd of March.

PSP

While seemingly placid on the surface, the world of Lunar is slowly descending into chaos, as the Goddess Althena, the creator and guardian of the world, has disappeared and the valiant efforts of the legendary Dragonmaster Dyne and his faithful companions fade into obscurity. With Althena gone and no one able or willing to become the next Dragonmaster, a shadowy figure, known only as the Magic Emperor, has started plotting to usurp Althena’s place and become a god. In a remote village far removed from the decay that is slowly spreading throughout the world lives a young man named Alex, who dreams of one day becoming the next Dragonmaster like his hero Dyne. One day, Alex’s friend Ramus convinces him to head towards a cave near town, where it is rumored the legendary White Dragon resides. With Alex’s adopted sister Luna and his mysterious pet Nall in tow, Alex heads off on what seems to be a meaningless adventure, not knowing that it would be the first step in an epic journey with the fate of the entire world at stake.

This is actually the only PSP game I’m waiting for for this first quarter of 2010. One, because I am so much of a Lunar fan. I just love the cast from Alex, Luna, Jessica, Kyle, Mia, Nash, Nall and the four heroes to Hero, Lucia, and the rest of the Eternal Blue characters — yes, even Galleon — the coolest villain I have ever seen in a video game next to Sephiroth and Genesis of the FF franchise. Silver Star Harmony is set to be released on North America next month, the 23rd of February!! Woot! Hope they remake Eternal Blue and even make a third Lunar game considering I am among those people greatly disappointed by Dragon Song.

Wii

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars airs well-known characters from Capcom’s roster of games with some of Japan’s most beloved characters from anime powerhouse Tatsunoko Production. From Capcom’s 30-year history comes characters like Ryu and Chun-Li from the Street Fighter series, Morrigan from Darkstalkers and company mascot Mega Man Volnutt from Mega Man Legends. Tatsunoko’s near half-century of Japanese animation excellence is represented by the likes of Ken the Eagle and Jun the Swan from the Science Ninja Team Gatchaman anime (known in North America as Battle of the Planets or G-Force), cybernetic warrior Casshan and comedic action hero Yatterman No. 1. All together, there are more than 20 colorful combatants to choose from in order to form the ultimate tag team combination.

Yes, this is a crossover battle that pits classic anime characters versus classic video game characters. What could be cooler than that?! And will be released in North America on the 26th even!!

As Shiren, a wandering adventurer with a penchant for exploration, monster-slaying, and item collection, you will trek across a beautiful and varied countryside with your companion, Koppa, a talking ferret. Randomly-generated areas, intense boss battles, extensive item customization, and a cast of intriguing and unpredictable characters translate into one of the most satisfying RPG experiences of the year. Yes, I am a sucker for good RPG games with amazing story and characters.Shiren will be released next month, February 9, 2010.

Finally, a game many of us have been waiting to be released in english!Sakura Wars is a Strategy RPG that features a unique sim-based story system. An in-depth storyline exists, much like in any other RPG; however, the player’s destiny in the game is not predetermined. Character interaction plays a major role, and your responses to the various characters in the game can ultimately change the story content and even the final outcome. The battle system is divided into two main parts; ground combat and air combat. Ground combat takes place using two-legged mechanized suits, which transform into jet fighters to take the fight to the sky. Every mech unit in the game can transform from battle mech mode to jet fighter mode during combat. Once transformed, weapons and movement methods will change as well. For example, the hero’s ground mode utilizes a sword as his main weapon, but in jet mode he will use long-range missiles. This will FINALLY be released on March23!!!

There is another Wii game that I am waiting for which is published by one of the best game studios — XSeed and Tri-Criscendo, the very same people that brought to PS3 gamers one of the most heartfelt RPG games ever — Eternal Sonata. The game’s title is Fragile Dreams which is supposed to be released on March. Apart from the info that it’s an Action-RPG, there isn’t much else. But knowing those two game companies, it’s impossible for them to mess this one up.

PS3

The year is A.D. 2087. In the aftermath of World War III, Earth has been ravaged and the population decimated by a deteriorating environment. The countries that survived have joined together to form the Greater Unified Nations and turned their eyes skyward…to space. Edge Maverick and his childhood friend Reimi Saionji are chosen as pioneer members of the Space Reconnaissance Force, which was created to seek out new worlds beyond the stars. Their ship, the Calnus, takes its place on the lunar launch pad along with four other starships of the first reconnaissance fleet. These ships – humanity’s last hope – blast off one-by-one and sail into the awaiting wormhole that leads to the vast star ocean. And so, Edge and his crew begin their voyage in search of a new haven for humanity…and a second chance. Star Ocean the Last Hope: International will be released in North America on February 9.

Other game releases for the PS3 for this quarter that I am eager to play (and Re-play) are: Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition with it’s added scenario, Final Fantasy XIII (OF COURSE!!!) a PS3 game exclusive, andGod of War III which are all March releases and which all need no words to introduce them — after all, who could not know of these game franchise?!

2010 is the year of gaming — at least, that’s how I see it considering the number of amazing titles, not only those that are to be released in North America and Europe but even those that will forever remain in the shores of Japan with no hope of an international release unless a translation team works on it.

Anyways, I suppose I just made my list of things to wait for a whole lot longer than just those two things that I originally am waiting for. Well, patience is a virtue… or so they say, lol.

There is nothing more that I enjoy doing than reading books and writing. I’m kind of a nerd like that, XD. I have been writing for 7 years and am the author of the YA novel “Winged: The Awakening” and “Winged: The Unraveling”. Also, a YouTuber dealing with video games and gaming.